Author Archives: Laura Whisler

Mark your calendar for National Plan for Vacation Day on Jan. 31 when Americans are encouraged to plan vacation days for the rest of the year. According to Project: Time Off, the promoter of National Plan for Vacation Day, 55 percent of American workers don’t use all their vacation time and in 2015 left 658 […]Read More...

The Convention & Visitors Bureau is offering a training seminar for its partners from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 5 in the Bill Foster North and South rooms at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Sessions will include training on the CVB’s extranet for hotels, attractions, restaurants and retailers. Topics will include how to log in, […]Read More...

The Discover SGF program continues to expand with the addition of the 10th video in the series. The most recent video, produced in cooperation with the Division of Diversity & Inclusion at Missouri State University, tackles the important topic of diversity and inclusion and the important role it plays in a healthy economy and quality […]Read More...

Prior to launching a new branding campaign in 2014, H2R Market Research conducted a baseline Brand Perception Study for the Springfield area. The purpose of the follow-up research was to provide the CVB with insight into the changes in perception of the Springfield area, if any, and what direction further messaging should take. Similar […]Read More...

The Missouri Division of Tourism recently released a research study called Tourism Advertising Halo Effect conducted by Longwoods International. Tourism marketers have long understood the value of tourism advertising on the local economy in terms of economic impact and sales tax generation, job creation and improving quality of life for residents. This study takes a […]Read More...

The CVB’s Marketing Plan for 2016/17 is now available and here are the Action Plans for those who want to see what we have planned to market the city as a travel destination this fiscal year. Highlights include: Continuing to increase revenue to fund marketing programs through advertising sales in the CVB’s print publications, website, […]Read More...

The Missouri Division of Tourism is again offering subsidized international marketing opportunities through the nation’s destination marketing organization, Brand USA, in conjunction with Miles Media. Since 2013, MDT has participated in Brand USA’s comprehensive cooperative marketing programs to drive international travel to Missouri. The Springfield CVB has joined MDT in some of these opportunities in […]Read More...

The CVB, in partnership with Springfield-Branson National Airport, conducted a “One Jet Jaunts” marketing campaign including hosting a trip of influential bloggers, public relations activities, social media posts and limited advertising highlighting the fact that Springfield has non-stop flights to 11 major destinations. Local bloggers, Emma Chapman and Elsie Larson authors of A Beautiful Mess, […]Read More...

The Attractions Council has been an important part of Springfield’s tourism industry for many years. Unfortunately, the last year or so we’ve seen declining attendance and participation. We understand everyone is increasingly busy and the content required to keep participants engaged is changing. The Attractions Council will be cancelled and instead the Convention & […]Read More...

During National Travel & Tourism week, the Convention & Visitors Bureau announced its Discover SGF program continues growing with the addition of five new videos, making a total of nine videos in the program. One of the videos features CVB vice president, Laura Whisler explaining the organization’s new brand and how frontline guests can utilize the brand to encourage guests to stay longer in Springfield and share their positive experiences with others. In addition, the CVB partnered with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board and Ozark Greenways to create a video about Springfield’s outdoor assets. The final three videos were created as a partnership with the Springfield Hotel Lodging Association and other Missouri destinations to offer customer service and hospitality skills training.Read More...